Health and Safety Policy
STATEMENT BY HEAD OF SCHOOL
As Head of the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, I
am responsible to the University Court for ensuring that the work carried
out in the School is safe and does not constitute a hazard to the health
and welfare of the staff, students or to anyone else. I am responsible,
too, for ensuring that the University Health and Safety Policy is understood
and observed in the School.
But Health and Safety is the responsibility of all of us who work in the
School; and there is a clear duty on everyone to prevent injury to themselves
and to others and to provide the support necessary to achieve the objectives
of the Health and Safety Policy.
Every member of the University, whether staff, student or visitor, has
a right to be in a safe and healthy environment and has a contribution
to make in achieving this goal. They should be aware of potential hazards
and act to ensure that they are eliminated, managed or avoided.
Many of the actions recommended below are required by law and must be
observed: others are simply common sense.
Please study the School Health and Safety procedures now: it is too late
once an accident or ill-health has occurred.
Any member of the School encountering any kind of health and safety hazard
on School premises should report these promptly to their Head of Subject
Area or to the School Administrator.
Professor Alvin Jackson, Head of School.
January 2011
1. INTRODUCTION
The School of History, Classics and Archaeology aims to provide a safe
and healthy working environment for its students, employees and visitors.
This policy and its operation will be reviewed annually.
Whilst at work, health and safety precautions must be observed by everyone;
not only does this make good common sense, but in many instances, these
responsibilities are legal requirements. Ensuring the health and safety
of others at work is just as important as the avoidance of being injured
oneself.
2. ORGANISATION
The Head of School is responsible to the University Court for the management
of health and safety matters within the School of History and Classics.
Oversight and co-ordination for health and safety across the School is
the responsibility of the School Safety Advisor, the School Administrator.
Health and safety matters in the School’s Subject Area premises
have been delegated by the Head of School to the Heads of Subject Area.
Subject Areas have Safety Advisers who have been appointed by the Head
of School to take a special interest in the promotion of health and safety
matters, to provide a first level of advice and to act on behalf of the
Head of School/Head of Subject Area in respect of these matters.
Safety Advisors:
School – School Administrator, Room 2M.28, Doorway 4, Teviot Place
(650 3787).
Archaeology - Dr Magda Midgley, Room 2M.12, Doorway 4, Teviot Place (650
2504).
Classics – Dr Simon Trepanier,
Room 1.15, Doorway 4, Teviot Place (650 3589).
History (including Centre for Second World War Studies) – Dr Francesca
Locatelli, Room 00M.21, Doorway 4, Teviot Place (650 3756).
All staff and students are responsible for ensuring that they work in
a manner that is safe to themselves and to others, and to comply with
the relevant requirements of both the University and School Health and
Safety Policies.
3. GENERAL HEALTH AND
SAFETY INFORMATION
All staff and students are urged to read the relevant parts of the University
Health and Safety Policy and in particular, Part 2 ‘General Precautions’,
Part 3 ‘Electrical Equipment’ and where relevant, Part 8 ‘Field
work and Outdoor Activities’. The full policy is available at
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/health-safety/policy-cop/policy
4. LONE WORKING
the School's Lone Working Guidance can be found on the web URL http://www.shca.ed.ac.uk/Administration/Docs/Policies/documents/SHCA_LoneWorkingGuidance_000.doc
In general terms, anyone using
one of the School's buildings out with normal working hours should note
the following:-
Alert friends/family to the fact that you are working out with office
hours - that is, when you are working at a time when others may not be
around in the event of sudden illness, accident etc.
It is strongly recommended that you phone University Security (0131 650
2257) to let them know that you are working alone within one of the School's
buildings and when you expect to leave. Please remember to call Security
again when you are leaving. Failure to call upon leaving at the pre-notified
time will alert Security to a potential problem and they will attend the
building to check on your safety.
Anyone with mobility issues should also ring Security to alert them to
where you are working.
Contact University Security should you know or suspect an intruder is
in the building. Do not confront the intruder; lock your door and await
the arrival of Security.
Anyone with any medical condition should make sure that they have any
necessary medication with them etc.
All staff/students should take due care of their safety on leaving buildings.
Ensure all tasks that carry any risks (e.g. lifting heavy items etc) are
carried out during normal building occupancy hours.
5. ON DISCOVERING A
FIRE
1. Operate the nearest fire alarm.
2. Leave the building immediately by the nearest available exit. Lifts
must NOT be used.
3. Assemble at the points indicated on building Fire Action Notices appropriate
to the building you are evacuating.
4. Ensure that the University Emergency Service (dial 2222) has been informed,
if you have not already done this. They will call the Fire Brigade.
6. FIRE PRECAUTIONS
All staff and students must familiarise themselves with the location of
fire doors and fire exits, so that they know as many as possible of the
means of escape from the building. All staff and students should know
the location of their nearest fire extinguishers and fire alarm call points
and instructions for their use.
Emergency exit routes must remain tidy and free from obstacles. Staff
and students must not leave or store flammable materials on emergency
exit routes or blocking immediate access to fire alarms, fire equipment
or electrical switchgear.
7. FIRE PREVENTION
The value of the nightly routine of checking for dropped cigarette ends,
switching off all unnecessary electrical equipment, checking that gas
taps are turned off, and closing all doors to rooms and staircase enclosures,
cannot be overstressed. Staff and students are reminded that smoking is
no longer permitted on University premises, except in specially designated
areas.
8. ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENT
REPORTING
All accidents, fires, “near misses”, and instances of known
or suspected occupational ill health, must be recorded in the University
Accident and Incident Report Book, which is located in the School Administrative
Assistant's office, Room 02M.26, Doorway 4, Teviot Place, and a report
sent to the Director of Health and Safety, 41 Forrest Road.
All accidents / incidents, except those of a minor nature will be investigated
by the appropriate school personnel and any necessary remedial measures,
including revised work procedures, training, etc, will be implemented
as appropriate. Accidents as a result of a defect in the fabric or structure
of the building should be reported to Repairline for action. Accidents/
incidents will be reviewed at the meetings of the School Management Committee.
Accidents / incidents of a serious nature must be notified immediately
by telephone (50-6605/6) to Health and Safety Department and will be subject
to a more formal investigation by a member of staff from the Health and
Safety Department.
9. FIRST AID
First aid information (including locations of equipment) is found on notices
at each site.
In the event of any emergency requiring an ambulance, call the University
Emergency Service (dial 2222) and state the precise location and nature
of the emergency.
10. RISK ASSESSMENT
The majority of the activities carried out by the School are routine and
generally low risk in nature and do not require to be formally risk assessed.
However, for any activity involving a significant risk, a written risk
assessment must be carried out. To assist with this, model risk assessment
forms are available from SAFENET,
the University's system of inter-linking checklists and model risk assessment
forms.
Risk assessments must be brought to the attention of all relevant staff
and students involved in the activity, and a copy sent to the School Administraor.
Risk assessments must be regularly reviewed (i.e., annually) to ensure
the information contained within them remains valid.
Workstations
Computer users who are concerned about any aspect of display screen equipment
use or would like specific advice on workstation set-up, should in the
first instance read the Policy Information and complete a display screen
equipment workstation assessment form available at
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/health-safety/risk-assessments-checklists/risk-assessments
Thereafter they should contact the Occupational Health Unit for further
guidance and advice.
Eye Tests
University employees who are regular users of display screen equipment
(DSE/VDU) should be made aware that, upon request, they will be provided
with a vision test and eye examination - a DSE/VDU Eye Test. For further
information, see
http://www.docs.csg.ed.ac.uk/Safety/Policy/Part2.pdf
Manual Handling
A risk assessment form must be completed for all manual handling tasks
where it is considered that the task places an employee or student at
risk of injury. If the load is considered small enough and light enough
to be easily moved safely by one person repetitively without risk of sprain
or strain, then it is not necessary to complete the form. The form is
available at
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/health-safety/risk-assessments-checklists/risk-assessments
11. MONITORING OF THE
SCHOOL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
A self-inspection (safety audit) of the School will take place annually
to monitor the effectiveness of the health and safety policy. The School
and/or Subject Area Safety Advisors will make the inspection.
12. HEALTH AND SAFETY
QUERIES OR ISSUES
All staff and students encountering any kind of health and safety hazard
in this School should report these promptly to relevant Area Safety Advisor
(see part 2 above), or, in his/her absence, to the School Safety Advisor,
the School Administrator, Room 2M.28, Doorway 4, Teviot Place (650 3787),
or, in their absence, to any senior member of staff.
13. HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTATION
Health and safety will be a regular item on the agenda of the meetings
of the School Management Committee, as and when appropriate.
Any member of the School who wishes to raise a health and safety item
at this Committee, should inform the School Administrator, Room 2M.28,
Doorway 4, Teviot Place (650 3787) as soon as possible.
14.WORK-RELATED TRAVEL
See Also University guidance
on Health and Safety for Work-related Travel: http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/health-safety/guidance/1.42858
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